Adrenal phaeochromocytoma and neurofibromatosis presenting with hypotension

We report a case of adrenal phaeochromocytoma with the stigmata of neurofibromatosis, who presented with acute hypotension. The patient later had episodes of hypertension alternating with hypotension, associated with electrocardiographic changes simulating myocardial infarction, and finally a completed stroke. The circumstances illustrate the problem of early recognition of the protean clinical effects of an excess of circulating adrenal medullary hormones. They also emphasise the need to consider phaeochromocytoma as a differential diagnosis of apparent clinical shock.